East Lancashire Railway volunteers win community hero award

The heritage railway was honoured at the Roch Valley Radio Community Hero Awards, which celebrate individuals and organisations making a positive impact through volunteering and community support.

The railway, which operates heritage trains through the Irwell Valley and creates opportunities for thousands of visitors each year, was recognised for its decades of service and the efforts of its volunteer team.

Linda Henderson, diesel driver and head of the signalling department at ELR, said: "For almost 40 years, the ELR has operated heritage trains through the heart of the Irwell Valley, initially serving the communities of Bury, Summerseat and Ramsbottom and then expanding to Irwell Vale, Rawtenstall and Heywood.

"Without volunteers, the ELR and heritage railways throughout the UK would not exist.

"The award recognises our over 800 volunteers, and those whose footsteps we follow, as the custodians of the railway, preserving it for the future volunteers and visitors."

Mike Kelly, chairman of the East Lancashire Railway, said it was an honour to receive the award.

He said: "It is incredibly humbling for the East Lancashire Railway to be recognised for the great and unselfish work our volunteers carry out day in, day out.

"As chairman, I am extremely proud to accept this award on behalf of the East Lancashire Railway and, most importantly, on behalf of the hundreds of volunteers who give their time, skills and enthusiasm so generously to keep our railway running.

"As a fellow volunteer myself, I know first-hand the commitment and passion that volunteers bring to organisations across our communities.

"I would like to thank Roch Radio for recognising the contribution of volunteers and for highlighting the invaluable work carried out every day by volunteers across so many local charities and organisations."

A group of volunteers representing various departments across the railway attended the awards ceremony.